San Francisco Giants

January 1, 1970

San Francisco Giants

A's righty Cotton to miss season with Tommy John surgery

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a spring baseball game in Mesa, Ariz., Monday, March 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Cubs opposition research: It's an even year, so count on a Giants comeback

It's an even year, so that means bet big on the San Francisco Giants being in playoff contention.

The offseason is over, spring training is in full swing, and despite a few notable names still available on the market, most if not all teams have called it quits in terms of signings and trades. So it’s time to look back on just what every squad did this winter and hand out grades for the moves made—or, in some cases, for those they failed to make. Next up: the National League West.

Players with an asterisk next to their name were re-signed as free agents.

Los Angeles Dodgers

2017 Record: 104–58, first place in NL West; won National League pennant

The Dodgers did relatively little altering to a roster that won over 100 games last season. Under the guise of staying beneath the $197 million luxury tax, LA offloaded nearly $50 million worth of contracts to the Braves for Matt Kemp, who the Dodgers have unsuccessfully tried to flip elsewhere. They made a couple shrewd moves to augment their bullpen by acquiring groundball specialist Scott Alexander and signing righty Tom Koehler (who will begin the season on the DL). The clearest concession made by the team was letting Darvish go in free agency, but the Dodgers will still run out a quality rotation.

Even though they decided against pairing another ace with Clayton Kershaw and didn’t want to shell out a quarter-billion dollars for Giancarlo Stanton, the Dodgers will be just fine in 2018. Let’s see if LA will open its wallet for next year’s stacked free agent class.

The biggest, seemingly insurmountable challenge for the Diamondbacks this year will be trying to fill the offensive void left by J.D. Martinez’s departure. In 62 games he blasted 29 home runs and collected 65 RBIs. Arizona did well to bring in Steven Souza Jr., a glove-first outfielder who still managed to knock 30 big flies for the Rays last season, but it’d be unreasonable to expect him to replicate Martinez’s surge. He should still complement Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb pretty well in the DBacks’ lineup.

Even with the additions of Brad Boxberger and Japanese righty Yoshihisa Hirano, Arizona’s bullpen still presents a few question marks. Boxberger can be an effective arm but has struggled to stay healthy the last two years. Hirano will need to see how his repertoire plays against major league hitters. Archie Bradley had a terrific season out of the ‘pen in 2017, but is he the Diamondbacks’ best answer at closer instead of a proven arm, such as still-available closer Greg Holland?

After a surprising run to the wild-card game last year, the Rockies charted as clear a course as any team in baseball this offseason. They moved on from their closer, Holland, and devoted more than $100 million to reel in his replacement, Wade Davis, and setup men Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw. The question is how many leads that trio will have to protect, given Colorado’s starting staff is far from a sure thing.

The Rockies get definite bonus points for spending more than most teams did the offseason, and also for reuniting with Carlos Gonzalez after he experienced the same radio silence this offseason too many other players did.

At the end of a season more disastrous than anyone could have anticipated, the Giants vowed not to tear down the current operation. They would be buyers, not sellers, and general manager Bobby Evans was tasked with reconfiguring the roster while trying to stay beneath the luxury tax threshold. That makes it all the more impressive he managed to acquire two franchise faces in Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen while shedding the heavy contracts of Denard Span and Matt Moore.

Through all the financial gymnastics, the Giants additionally did well in fortifying their relief corps and outfield with lefty Tony Watson and Austin Jackson. San Francisco did about as much as it could—trading for Giancarlo Stanton notwithstanding—to inspire playoff hopes in a team that stood on the doorstep of 100 losses. That’s tough to do.

The Padres are trending in the right direction as a whole, but still have a ways to go on the mound before their rebuild can near its completion. They were active on the trade market and netted a solid arm from the Yankees in Bryan Mitchell (acquired along with Chase Headley for Jabari Blash). Closer Brad Hand is a gem in San Diego’s bullpen, although it’s still somewhat curious the Padres haven’t flipped him to a contender.

Perhaps the Padres believe they’re closer to contending than anyone else thinks, as the signing of Eric Hosmer might indicate. Hosmer’s addition shades of the Nationals’ deal with Jayson Werth in 2011. Washington added a player they didn’t need on a losing team, but that losing team wasn’t one for very long.

The offseason is over, spring training is in full swing, and despite a few notable names still available on the market, most if not all teams have called it quits in terms of signings and trades. So it’s time to look back on just what every squad did this winter and hand out grades for the moves made—or, in some cases, for those they failed to make. Next up: the National League West.

Players with an asterisk next to their name were re-signed as free agents.

Los Angeles Dodgers

2017 Record: 104–58, first place in NL West; won National League pennant

The Dodgers did relatively little altering to a roster that won over 100 games last season. Under the guise of staying beneath the $197 million luxury tax, LA offloaded nearly $50 million worth of contracts to the Braves for Matt Kemp, who the Dodgers have unsuccessfully tried to flip elsewhere. They made a couple shrewd moves to augment their bullpen by acquiring groundball specialist Scott Alexander and signing righty Tom Koehler (who will begin the season on the DL). The clearest concession made by the team was letting Darvish go in free agency, but the Dodgers will still run out a quality rotation.

Even though they decided against pairing another ace with Clayton Kershaw and didn’t want to shell out a quarter-billion dollars for Giancarlo Stanton, the Dodgers will be just fine in 2018. Let’s see if LA will open its wallet for next year’s stacked free agent class.

The biggest, seemingly insurmountable challenge for the Diamondbacks this year will be trying to fill the offensive void left by J.D. Martinez’s departure. In 62 games he blasted 29 home runs and collected 65 RBIs. Arizona did well to bring in Steven Souza Jr., a glove-first outfielder who still managed to knock 30 big flies for the Rays last season, but it’d be unreasonable to expect him to replicate Martinez’s surge. He should still complement Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb pretty well in the DBacks’ lineup.

Even with the additions of Brad Boxberger and Japanese righty Yoshihisa Hirano, Arizona’s bullpen still presents a few question marks. Boxberger can be an effective arm but has struggled to stay healthy the last two years. Hirano will need to see how his repertoire plays against major league hitters. Archie Bradley had a terrific season out of the ‘pen in 2017, but is he the Diamondbacks’ best answer at closer instead of a proven arm, such as still-available closer Greg Holland?

After a surprising run to the wild-card game last year, the Rockies charted as clear a course as any team in baseball this offseason. They moved on from their closer, Holland, and devoted more than $100 million to reel in his replacement, Wade Davis, and setup men Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw. The question is how many leads that trio will have to protect, given Colorado’s starting staff is far from a sure thing.

The Rockies get definite bonus points for spending more than most teams did the offseason, and also for reuniting with Carlos Gonzalez after he experienced the same radio silence this offseason too many other players did.

At the end of a season more disastrous than anyone could have anticipated, the Giants vowed not to tear down the current operation. They would be buyers, not sellers, and general manager Bobby Evans was tasked with reconfiguring the roster while trying to stay beneath the luxury tax threshold. That makes it all the more impressive he managed to acquire two franchise faces in Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen while shedding the heavy contracts of Denard Span and Matt Moore.

Through all the financial gymnastics, the Giants additionally did well in fortifying their relief corps and outfield with lefty Tony Watson and Austin Jackson. San Francisco did about as much as it could—trading for Giancarlo Stanton notwithstanding—to inspire playoff hopes in a team that stood on the doorstep of 100 losses. That’s tough to do.

The Padres are trending in the right direction as a whole, but still have a ways to go on the mound before their rebuild can near its completion. They were active on the trade market and netted a solid arm from the Yankees in Bryan Mitchell (acquired along with Chase Headley for Jabari Blash). Closer Brad Hand is a gem in San Diego’s bullpen, although it’s still somewhat curious the Padres haven’t flipped him to a contender.

Perhaps the Padres believe they’re closer to contending than anyone else thinks, as the signing of Eric Hosmer might indicate. Hosmer’s addition shades of the Nationals’ deal with Jayson Werth in 2011. Washington added a player they didn’t need on a losing team, but that losing team wasn’t one for very long.

Grade: B

Giants Mascot Lou Seal Takes On Spelling Bee Challenge

The San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal is perfect for today's Spelling Bee Challenge word of the day: ludic, which means exhibiting playfulness, or aimlessly playful.

Giants Mascot Lou Seal Takes On Spelling Bee Challenge

The San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal is perfect for today's Spelling Bee Challenge word of the day: ludic, which means exhibiting playfulness, or aimlessly playful.

Giants Mascot Lou Seal Takes On Spelling Bee Challenge

The San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal is perfect for today's Spelling Bee Challenge word of the day: ludic, which means exhibiting playfulness, or aimlessly playful.

Giants Mascot Lou Seal Takes On Spelling Bee Challenge

The San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal is perfect for today's Spelling Bee Challenge word of the day: ludic, which means exhibiting playfulness, or aimlessly playful.

Slashed salaries: Walker to Yankees, Lynn starts with Twins

San Francisco Giants' Nick Hundley watches his three-RBI double against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a spring baseball game in Mesa, Ariz., Monday, March 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Andrew Moore #48 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the fifth inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Sam Dyson #49 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a pitch in the fifth inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run in the fifth inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners smiles while running the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the fouth inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants is congratuled by Joe Panik #12 after scoring against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning of the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by third base coach Scott Brosius #28 after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Mike Zunino #3 after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants reacts on the mound after Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run in the third inning of the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning of the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by third base coach Scott Brosius #28 after hitting a two run home run in the third inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners hits a two run home run in the third inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Robinson Cano #22 of the Seattle Mariners turns the double play over the sliding Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants in the second inning of the spring trainin game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants hits a two run home run in the second inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants doubles in the second inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Junior Lake #49 of the Seattle Mariners hits a sacrifice ball to left in the second inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners breaks his bat while connecting with the ball in the first inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants sits in the dugout prior to the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners v San Francisco Giants

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants walks through the dugout prior to the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Scottsdale Stadium on March 9, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

2018 Preview: San Francisco Giants

The Giants may not appear likely to challenge the Dodgers in the NL West, but could they sneak into the Wild Card game?

2018 Preview: San Francisco Giants

The Giants may not appear likely to challenge the Dodgers in the NL West, but could they sneak into the Wild Card game?

If at first (base): Brewers' Ryan Braun a work in progress

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018, file photo, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Ryan Braun throws during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Maryvale, Ariz. With three Cactus League starts at first base under his belt, Braun's transition to first baseman remains a work in progress. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Roll 'em! Bullpen buggies back in bigs, thanks to D-backs

Arizona Diamondbacks' Taijuan Walker, center, speaks with pitching coach Mike Butcher, left, during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum is embarking on a comeback to the majors with the Texas Rangers, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.

Details of the deal have not been disclosed yet.

Lincecum, 33, did not pitch during the 2017 season. He last played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when he finished with a 2–6 record and 9.16 ERA in 38 1/3 innings pitched and was designated for assignment by August.

Lincecum held a throwing session for as many as 20 scouts during a workout in Seattle on Feb. 15. The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams that were interested in Lincecum after he impressed some scouts with his fastball velocity.

Lincecum is a four-time All-Star and won three World Series titles with the Giants. He has a 110–89 career record with a 3.74 ERA in 278 MLB starts.

Orlando Cepeda making 'major' progress in heart recovery

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda waves to fans prior to the San Francisco Giants' baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, in San Francisco. The San Francisco Giants said Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, that Hall of Famer Cepeda remains hospitalized in critical condition after a cardiac incident. He was taken to a Bay Area hospital late Monday. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)